fleece

fleece [-s] n

OE fleos, to shear or strip.

1. Wool; sheepskin; soft thick nap of an animal's hide; [fig.] cloud cover; [metaphor] veil; curtain that separates mortals from deity; (see Genesis 32).
2. Phrase. “Golden Fleece”: animal hide made of gold; mythical golden pelt sought by Jason and the Argonauts; [fig.] treasure; wealth; riches; pelf; valuable object.